After having purchased cheap fares, be they cheap airplane tickets, cheap vacation packages, or discount travel packages, many fliers are resigned to eating mediocre airport food or doing without until reaching their destination.
The good news is that increasingly airports are home to some very good restaurants. The following are airport restaurants viewed as great by Smarter Travel:
Cat Coras kitchen at San Francisco International Airport features lobster mac and cheese, seafood sliders, and an appealing cocktail menu ideal for drinking away a flight delay.
Custom Burgers by Pat LaFrieda at LaGuardia Airport offers touchscreens where diners can design their dream burgers and add special toppings such as a fried egg, pork roll, or just basic cheddar cheese. A basic cheeseburger is priced at under $5.
One Flew South at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport houses a 30 foot sushi bar. This restaurant is well known for its signature cocktails, boutique wines, and down home Southern cooking.
Encounter Restaurant at Los Angeles International Airport offers fresh California cuisine and a great view from its observation deck.
Tortas Frontera at Chicago OHare International Airport offers freshly made Mexican food including molletes and tortas. Guests can smother everything with guacamole, if so inclined, from the restaurants guacamole bar. Tortas Frontera buys its ingredients from local farms.
The Salt Lick at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport offers dinners a little taste of Texas from its airport stand. Frequent patrons particularly enjoy breakfast tacos and the brisket offered later in the day.
New Belgium Hub at Denver International Airport offers a wide variety of microbrews on tap as well as a tasty selection of food.
Brookwood Farms BBQ at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport features great pull pork sandwiches, ribs, and hush puppies as well as cheap beer and fried pickles.
La Carreta at Miami International Airport is where diners will find delicious Cuban cuisine. Everything from pre-made sandwiches and salads for those on the run is available to a hot bar where guests can sample a variety of foods.
La Vie at John F. Kennedy International Airport brings a little bit of Paris to fliers in need of anything from coffee to a full meal. Brioche French toast is available for breakfast, while midday diners can eat a salad, and evening travelers can enjoy hearty dinner entrees.
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